Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To extend or stretch out: "outstretch" means to extend something to its full length, reach, or capacity, often in a physical or figurative sense.
   • To exceed or surpass: In rare usage, "outstretch" can mean to go beyond a limit, such as in duration or quantity.

Usage Examples

• To extend physically:

  • She outstretched her arms to embrace the child. (She extended her arms fully to hug the child.)
  • The eagle outstretched its wings before taking flight. (The bird spread its wings to their full span.)

• To exceed a limit (figurative):

  • The project's budget outstretched the initial estimate. (The cost went beyond what was planned.)
  • His patience was outstretched by the constant delays. (His tolerance was pushed to the breaking point.)

Advanced Usage

• "to outstretch one's hand": to reach out one's hand in a gesture of greeting, help, or request.

  • He outstretched his hand to the stranger in friendship. (He extended his hand as a friendly gesture.)

• "to be outstretched": to be in a state of being fully extended.

  • The cat lay outstretched on the warm rug. (The cat was lying with its body fully stretched out.)

Variants and Related Words

• Outstretched (adj): fully extended or spread out.

  • The hiker's outstretched arms indicated the width of the canyon. (His arms were fully spread to show the canyon's size.)

• Outstretching (n): the act of extending or the state of being extended.

  • The outstretching of the branches shaded the entire yard. (The branches extended widely, creating shade.)

Synonyms

• Extend: to cause something to stretch out or reach.
• Stretch: to draw out to full length or width.
• Spread: to open or expand over a larger area.
• Surpass: to go beyond in degree or amount (for the figurative meaning).

Phrasal Verbs

• Stretch out: (similar in meaning) to extend fully.
  • She stretched out her legs after sitting for hours. (She extended her legs to relax.)

Related Idioms

• At full stretch: operating or working at maximum capacity.

  • The factory is at full stretch to meet demand. (The factory is working as hard as possible.)

• Stretch one's legs: to walk or move after sitting for a long time.

  • Let's stop the car so we can stretch our legs. (We need to walk to relieve stiffness.)